This is Satan.
Okay, it’s not Satan. It’s actually Jay Cameron playing the role of Satan. He’s the “starring” role in “Church Mafia”, a play written and produced by Mr. Cameron. The play explains how the guys I have been referring to as pimps operate.
I went to see the play last Saturday evening (November 17, 2007). And I have to admit, it was a hoot.
The play, about two hours long, lets us watch a nominally effective pastor go from a guy who is trying to make a difference (if somewhat ineffectively) to a wolf who is willing to deceive and intimidate the sheeple in order to get what he wants (power, sex, and a new building). Along the way he screws up lives, families, and the congregation in general.
The play is broken into about ten scenes. Between scenes Satan appears to give us insight into how the Church Mafia works. It was really outstanding to see in the flesh, so to speak, the mechanics we have been talking about on the site.
We see Pastor Cliff getting tutored in the gimmicks he can use to control the sheeple (talk about his anointing, talk about the vision God gave him, put himself between God and the sheeple, humiliate and intimidate them), the proper phraseology to use, and the best methods to ensure that the Sunday service has no content.
Satan would talk to us, berating us for not reading our Bibles, letting us know what the results would be, and basically explaining his game plan for neutralizing the church. I’m not sure which was better, seeing the scams in action or hearing Satan refer to the “pastor” as the Mand of Gawd. I got a chuckle every time they used it.
Several vignettes did an outstanding job of illustrating how much damage these wolves create. The scene with Monica, right after she found out that her fiancé wasn’t going to marry her because Pastor Cliff told the husband-to-be (a man with no ‘nads and fewer brains) that she was not right for him, was the most intense and emotional scene in the entire play. Hey, if it were up to me, I’d give the young lady a Tony.
It’s playing again on December 1 at the Life Center just south of I-495/95 on Branch Ave, Prince Georges county, Maryland.
While I can’t address the theology of the church, they certainly seem to have a good hold on the tactics and techniques of the pimps. Jay explained that he experienced about 80 percent of the contents in one form or another.
Does Life Center offer this on DVD for those who can’t make it to the event? Website?
great review. I heard this advertised on the radio, and thought that it was calling out the pimps. I will try to check it out.
yes i would like have a video of this !!!!!!!!!!! please somebody can make it ?
Melvin, do you feel the play encourages saints towards sound doctrine? Or is it just an entertaining play about pimps and the games they play?
I mean, while it exposes the tactics of pimps, is there an effort to encourage saints to keep the faith in truth and better doctrine, or is it just a lot of joking and fun with the pimps at the center of it all?
How does this compare with the a-typical “gospel stage play”, that features veiled garbage while claiming to be a work of ministry?
I’m just asking, since calling out pimps has seemed to go from something we did for the cause of the Cross while receiving daily hate mail, to something that some are finding profit in. All are saying they were abused by it, but it just seems some call it out for motives other than the message of the truth of the Cross. So I’m just checking
.
(MN: As a policy of full disclosure, I want to point out first and foremost that someone involved in the play bought me a ticket. Yeah, I got in for free. Having said that, here’s what I think.
The play encouraged the saints to keep the faith in truth and better doctrine. There was actually very little joking and fun. Satan (Jay Cameron) did an outstanding job of using the Bible to tell the saints what they should be doing. The actors were there more to illustrate that which was being taught.
There was no garbage, no lewd jokes ala Mr. Perry and Madea, no unseemly relationships (other than the implication of one when Pastor Cliff move to score on a very vulnerable woman).
Overall, the play was thoughtfull, accurate (with respect to the activities and ploys of the pimps), and throughout encouraged the audience to study for themselves. Satan even pointed out some of the violations of Scripture in the pastor’s antics, the sheeple’s willingness to let the pastor think for them, and the need to build your relationship with God.
The set was really good. All of the action took place in the church boardroom, the living room of one of the assistant pastors, the church sanctuary, the nail shop, or the home of the woman who gave more time to her pastor than she did to her husband.
Rather than comparing this to Madea and other “Christian” plays and movies, I would think of it more in terms of “Amazing Grace” the story of Wilberforce (because of his convictions as a Christian) pushing England to renounce slave trade. Yes it’s enterainment. No, it’s not church. Yes it educates and informs the Christian. And yes, in this case the sets, wardrobes, and peripherals have to be paid for.
I guess the question is not “should the producers of the play charge for it?” Rather, the question could reasonably be asked: “Should the church organization (Life Center) have put their name on it?”
The play does a lot to make the pimp tactics very obvious. At first, the audience was kind of raucuous. When the commentator spoke there was some laughing, some denials, and even a little irritation. But as the play proceeded, it seemed the audience really started to understand what goes on every Sunday, right under their sanctified noses.
While I understand your concern, I stand by my recommendation. And again, the question is: “Should the church participate in the marketing and production of the play?” A fair question.
By the way, I still receive daily hate mail. )
Thanks Melvin. My concern was more about the overall message than the related price for admission. Although you know my concerns about peddling in general. If the audience learned anything, they learned more than enough to cover the admission costs. Given what the pimps asks for, the admission price should have been the equivalent of a car, rent or mortgage payment
.
(MN: Understood. It was my knowledge of your financial concern that moved me to address it. Afterall, it’s a fair question. )
Well you know, if a “church” wants to put their name on it, they could always be charitable and fully fund it so admission is FREE
. But of course we’d want it to be a work towards teaching people about Christ, not entertainment that has an educational hook.
Just between you, me and everyone else reading this. I’ve been to store front spots that had free plays and they worked out the wardrobes and all that themselves. (Usually the wardrobe was whatever existed in their closets.)
By the way, you know I still get hate mail
. Nobody has called me a “demon” in a while though. Just people straight cursing or other stuff. I always got the most entertainment out of being called a “demon” or “Satan”. So if any of you reading this dislike what we do. Please consider using those terms because they make me laugh harder.
You can buy some of the dvd’s at http://www.urbanchange.net, however, I’m not sure that they have one for “Church Mafia” yet. My husband and I attended one of their marriage seminars called “Marriage Killers” two years ago. It was a blessing, but like Melvin, I cannot make claims about their general theological positions.
I just got an email about this today. There was a video where Jay Cameron explains the concept and message of the play. You can get to it by going to http://www.urbanchange.net. I explored the church’s website (The Life Center Church in Camp Springs, MD) and there were some articles about abusinve churches, etc. I will have to subscribe to their service for podcasting to listen to any messages. I would really like to know their theology and I would also like to know if Jay is still associating with Deron Cloud of “The Soul Factory” fame. If so, then he’s questionable.
I would also like to know if Jay is still associating with Deron Cloud of “The Soul Factory” fame. If so, then he’s questionable.
“Say it ain’t so”…
(MN: I didn’t even think to ask him. But it is a good question. What makes you think it might be so? His emphasis on the youth? )
Is the Soul Factory really a church and Cloud really a pastor?
I don’t know if it’s questionable or not so my statement was rhetorical I guess.
Sounds like a really good play though. But when we start to look at motives, things began to take on another light
(MN: And here is where, in the absence of clear actions, I refuse to judge motives. It’s also the reason I included the caveat at the end of the “review.” The play was good. Very good. )
Thanks–do you know if it will show in Bmore?
(MN: Don’t know. Take a look here and see if you can find any contact. )information.
Thanks–:-)
Where is camp Springs?
(MN: Exit 7A. The building is about a quarter mile south on Linda Lane. )
I mean in regards to Bmore–you know I’m a Virginian!!!
(MN: Same thing. I-95/495 South, exit at 7A. )
Thanks
Happy Thanksgiving!!
Jay has not associated with Deron Cloud for over five years. There is no affiliation!
(MN: Folks were just wondering. )
Excellent! Thanks!
From what I understand, Jay Cameron and Deron Cloud parted ways more than 5 years ago.
Jay Cameron is no longer affiliated with Deron Cloud. Jay left more than 5 years ago.
I’ve also attended one of his plays about 2yrs ago called “Satan Expose” pt 1&2 is was based on hip-hop, abortion,homosexuality, and fornication. Which I found a very powerful way to present the truth to the youth. It was very graphic and left many in tears. So I’ll try and check this one at as well.
ya’ll still here? ya’ll so funny. get a life. if i despised someone so much i would not allow them to consume so much of my time thoughts and energy. (MN: Just out of curiosity, who do you think I despise? ) do you use ANY of your energy to help people? (MN: As a matter of fact, yes. When people discover they are being pimped and get out of the pimp churches, they are being helped. Remember, the site is not about making the pimps’ lives miserable. It’s about warning the sheeple.) not possible you spend to much time hating. (MN: Who, exactly, am I hating? ) i’m sure God is pleased because last time i read my bible there was a whole book in there called go ye into the world and make discerners and spend large amounts of time praying for (MN: As a matter of fact it does. Right there where it says to make DISCIPLES - you know, those people who study their bibles, mature as Christians, train their senses, etc. ), i mean dogging those who have gone astray. (MN: Not dogging the pimps - warning the saints. ) very biblical ministry here. (MN: Very. Here are a couple of places in your biblical Bible that talk about it (Romn 16:17, Gal 1:8) ) forget about all that help the poor, widows, orphans, make disciples, etc. (MN: Why would I forget? Usually, it’s the pimps who take your money and instead of taking care of the poor, the widows, and orphans, they spend it on clothes, cars, and big buildings. Have you noticed yet that the pimps are failing to do any of the things you talk about? ) that’s for the birds right? you are so anointed. (MN: Thank you. However, if you are a Christian, according to that Bible you apparently use only as a door stop, so are you. )
that was complete sarcasm because to be anointed you start with salvation and i don’t think you really know what that is. and yes, the church that i attend gave $100000 to hosea feed the hungry in 2006 - gives the largest donation every year in fact (not including gifts to other homeless ministries) (larger than any corporation gives) gave homes, money and met other needs for katrina survivors - has given over $1 million to build a hospital in nakuru kenya and i could go on - but we don’t need to toot our own horn. we are worshipping the Lord through obedience to His word (and yes pastor rolls on nice wheels - he owns part of a car dealership). what have you given besides your opinion? when i read my bible, i look to the Holy Spirit to show me where i am falling short of pleasing the Lord - i don’t look for ammunition to point the finger at people i’m jealous of - or for ammunition to try to impress the parishioners of my little internet church of the haters. but now what you do is more important here - who cares if no one receives salvation from reading this site, that big ole mega church where thousands of people are going and receiving salvation is just a cult. that pastor that admonishes his congregation to read the bible and know God for themselves and not rely on him to be the voice of God for them - well that is just a cult. i know cuz his clothes are too nice.
i visited this site months ago and saw a post on google yesterday referencing this site. laughed to see that you are still here. you are one tired brother. misled but determined. out.
Kat,
You obviously are beginning to question some of the things that you are hearing and seeing in your “church”, or you wouldn’t be coming to this site.
Like many of us before you, you are troubled and confused, but the Holy Spirit does lead us into all righteousness.
I don’t agree with everything that’s posted here, but I thank God that Melvin exposes these false teachers and encourages us to seek the truth for ourselves in the Bible.
Just study the Word to see if what you are hearing from that pulpit lines up with the Word of God.(Acts17:10,11, 2Tim 2:15), and if it doesn’t, you must reject it!
In fact, leave ASAP.
Jesus is the one Mediator between God and Man for every saved person(1Tim2:5,6)
Thank you and God bless you Melvin.
What church do you attend kat?? You seem pretty defensive. Did someone step on your pastor’s toes here?? You know, it doesn’t mean a hill of dung how much money your church gave. I bet the Mormons outgive you…….and the Shriners……..and the JWs.
Sooooooo……..what’s your point?? I don’t recall anywhere in the Bible where we are told that we can buy our way into Heaven with charity. Do you??
What I DO recall are a multitude of Scriptures that warn us to keep our doctrine clear of error. That we are to love the sheep, not fleece them. That pastors are to be servants, not exploiters.
So……….where do you go to church. You gotta LOT to say, so by ALL means let’s look at the Bible together and see just WHY you’re so defensive about your church.
hmmphf!, what?!? you use lower case letters and only capitalize references to God-smh. boy! what a copy”kat”ter.
That’s right……..Mav is the High Profitess Of The Church Of The Higher Dimension And Lower Case.
Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery my dear…….but WE know which is the ORIGINAL Anti-Capitalist.
I know they WERE together and kind of “partners” or at least good friends some years ago. I visited The Church of the Lord’s Disciples (now The Soul Factory) some years ago when they were at Capital Plaza. At that time, things were alright and I remember the two producing plays together (I think Jay wrote, Deron produced, or something). They may have parted ways, as I have not heard anything recent that they’ve done together. Listening to the clips for The Church Mafia, I would say that Jay Cameron seems much, MUCH more sound than Deron Cloud.
I think it was Satan’s Expose that they did together because we had shown it to some of the girls at the church I grew up in. We had a Girls’ Rites of Passage “Ministry” and I was one of the teachers. I think that’s the one with the abortion clip at the end that was REALLY graphic, but made an impact on them. It was good, too.
MN-Thanks for the great work you do. I enjoy your blog and your insight. Keep up the good work.
Mr. Melvin, can I get to the place this play will be by taking the Metro? I want to go and I think Branch Avenue is one of the metro stops, but how far from that stop is it?
(MN: The metro station is indeed near by. I’m not sure of where it is exactly. )
the church actually has a shuttle that will take you there if you can get to the branch avenue metro station. this includes the productions as well as church service.
and pastor cameron did leave and disassociate himself from the soul factory and deron cloud about five years ago as a result of the questionable direction that the “church” took.
I had never heard of Jay Cameron before. I did some internet googling, and he seems pretty solid. I know of Deron Cloud but not enough to know the “deal”. Is he (Deron) not doctrinal sound?
(MN: Cloud does the usual “pack ‘em in by entertaining them” schtick. )
Awww, darn…I was just in the area visiting family in Capitol Heights, MD for the first time Tuesday. I could only stay for two days.
Do you know if they are going to go on a national tour with this production? I live in Philly.
I review the Geniune & Sola (husband/wife,ex-rappers&cast member) interview on his site. Which they mentioned being memebers of From the Heart with Pastor Cherry. If they are associated with that ministry it maybe sound. I’ve listened to some of the older Cherry teachings, haven’t listend to the son Cherry. But , I’ve been told they have pretty sound doctrine.
There is no association between From The Heart and Jay Cameron
HEY MELVIN,
WE THOUGHT OF YOU!!!! WHEN WE RAN ACROSS THIS.
YOU MAY HAVE SEEN IT ALREADY,, BUT HERE GOES..
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bMbErX43S64
oooweee, that was a goody. i liked the lil calypso beat they had going. i ran and got my maracas.
since i’m into sing-a-longs, howsabout i print the lyrics for everybody. you game, melville?
This is reminiscent of a play that I saw years ago put on by Deron Cloud in Maryland.
(MN: Welcome back Dmagoh. I haven’t seen much from you in a while. So how are the newly weds doing? )
Melvin………you’ve been married too long. Think back to YOUR newlywed days, and try to think of what MIGHT be keeping our buddy Damogoh busy these days
ooh, can i take a stab at what it might be?
With as many children as you have, I don’t think you’ll need 3 guesses Mav my dear
PS……..my cell phone dropped out on us the other day. Ask Melvin about my cellphone
gee whiz, paisano, to hear you tell it, you make it sound like i’m giving the ‘old woman who lived in a shoe’ a run for her money! 5 is not a lot, i can still count them all on one hand, and most of the time i call them by their right names.
now if you want to talk about a quiver full indeed, check out this family. (btw, i just love these people!)
http://www.duggerfamily.com
ps. i figured as much about your cell phone.
Experienced the play last night. Excellent! Truly excellent!